Aside from Israel’s own arms industry, the USA is by far the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. However, numerous other countries are also major suppliers, especially Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2009 and 2018, the US supplied 70% of all international transfers of major conventional weapons to Israel. They were followed by Germany with 24%, and Italy with 5.9%. Israel was the 19th largest importer of major conventional weapons worldwide during this period.
Exporters of major conventional weapons to Israel 2011-2020 (from SIPRI Arms Transfers Database):
Companies supplying arms to Israel
Some of the most important companies supplying arms to Israel are listed below. While many are US or German companies, many have a significant presence in the UK as well.
- Lockheed Martin is the world’s largest arms company, based in the US. Lockheed has supplied Israel with over 100 F-16I combat aircraft – the most important fighter jet in the Israel Air Force – as well as other equipment including the Multiple Launch Rocket System. It describes itself as “proud of the significant role it has fulfilled in the security of the State of Israel”. Lockheed is also the prime contractor for the F-35 combat aircraft, which Israel is buying to replace the F-16s. Israel has ordered a total of 50 F-35s, of which 27 have been delivered up to the end of 2020, according to SIPRI. A US company, Lockheed Martin also employs 2,000 people at 20 sites in the UK.
- Boeing, a US company producing both arms and civil aicrraft, is one of Israel’s major arms suppliers. It has provided F-15 combat aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, and thousands of Guided Bombs. Boeing has 2500 employees in the UK at 65 locations, in both civil and military spheres.
- BAE Systems, the UK’s largest arms company, is one of Lockheed’s two “principle industrial partners” on the F-35 combat aircraft (the other is Northrop Grumman. BAE’s head-up display units equip some F-16s, including some supplied to Israel. BAE has other arms production relationships with Israel, including producing the Mk 38 Mod 2 Machine Gun System with Rafael and supplying this to the Israeli military.
- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, a German shipbuilder, has supplied six Dolphin submarines to Israel. A more recent 2016 deal for the sale of 3 more Dolphin submarines has been delayed by a corruption investigation involving alleged bribes paid to key influencers in Israel. ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems has a subsidiary in the UK, Atlas Elektronik UK.
- General Dynamics Land Systems produces the Namer armoured vehicle for Israel. The Israeli MoD stated that “The Namer is considered to be the most heavily armored carrier in the world, and has proven its capabilities in Operation Protective Edge against myriad threats”. General Dynamics, a US company, has 1,450 employees at 4 sites in the UK.
Other companies with UK connections
Some other UK companies and international companies with UK locations are known to have supplied arms and security equipment to Israel. For more information, including sources and company descriptions, please click on the company names.
Components for F-16 fighter aircraft:
- GE Aviation (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):
Produced engines for selected F-16s - MPE (UK headquartered):
Electromagnetic filters manufactured by MPE were used in bomb racks put on F-16s
Components for Merkava tanks:
- Ametek (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):
Cooling systems produced by Ametek Airtechnology Group Limited have been used to equip Merkava tanks - Renk AG (German headquartered, with a location in the UK):
Transmission systems manufactured by Renk equip the Merkava 4 tank
Components for Apache attack helicopters:
- AgustaWestland (Subsidiary of Italy-headquartered Leonardo, with substantial locations in the UK):
Manufactures a range of components for the Apaches. - Meggitt (UK headquartered):
Its air data system found in Apache gunships. - Penny + Giles Controls (UK headquartered):
Its rotary variable transformers have been identified on Apache gunships in Israel. - Redmayne Engineering (UK headquartered):
Its Jesus nut is used to hold the main rotor head of the Apache. - Senior plc (UK headquartered)
Air ducting systems produced by Senior Aerospace BWT have been identified in Israeli Apache gunships. - SPS Aerostructures (UK headquartered):
Engine air intakes produced by SPS Aerostructures were found on Apache gunships. - UTC Aerospace (US headquartered, with locations in the UK): Page Aerospace (UK) has produced light dimming systems used in Israeli Apache gunships.
Missiles:
- Raytheon (US headquartered, with locations in the UK):
Joint producer of the Stunner missile with Rafael.
Vehicles:
- Land Rover (UK headquartered):
The Defender model forms the basis of the David Light Armoured Vehicle.
Drones:
- Elbit Systems (Israel headquartered, with two UK subsidiaries – UAV Tactical Systems Limited and UAV Engines Limited):
Produces electronic military communication systems and unmanned aircraft systems, including the Hermes drone.
Security:
- G4S (UK headquartered):
Its security systems are used in Israeli prisons
From Freedom of Information (FoI) requests, we also know of a large number of arms companies that have applied to export arms from the UK to Israel for 2010-2015. Over 40 of these companies are listed in our companies pages, and more detailed information about export applications is also available on our Arms Export Data browsers. Information for 2016 and beyond is not currently available.
